The Washington critic., 1887-05-25
eY-THE CRITIC Is for sale in New York by
Brentano & Co., Union Square,
WASHINGTON, MAY a5, 1887.
A "wELL.REaULArED MILITIA"

A "wELL.REGULATE MILITIA"
The Constitution of the United
States does not so declare as an original
proposition, but assumes, as a political
axiom, accepted and understood, that
"a well.regulated militia is necessary
to the security of free State"
The idea was that emergencies.
endangering the public safety, were
not impossible of occurrence, and that
no State, with due regard to Its own
interests, would neglect the wise pre-.
caution Of organizing military arm
of defense, to aid the civil authorities
In the enforcement Of the laws.
Most of the States have adopted this
sence in Washiu.tnn to day Of several
thousands of thoroughly drilled and
disciplined troops from all parts of the
country abundanily shows. Here is
ample evidence that the elements, of
the best army the sun ever shone on
exist In the United States, If any cvi-
dence were needed after the experience
of the late war
AT the same time, the burden of
cquipr ing aud maintaining their citi.
zen n.soldiers is greater than some of the
States are able or willing to bear. and
1t Is neither just nor in the line of a
sound policy that this burden should
be devolved upon the liberality of pri-
vaie individuals.
The militia Of the United States Is
the great National reserve, on which
the Government must rely in case of
extraordinary contingencies, and the
General Government Is In duty bound
10 provide for at least its partial sup.
port. Congress has already made some
provision in this behalf, but, for
reasons not entirely clear, hesitates to
take comprehensive view of the situa.
tion.
What General Washington warns the
people against-"an overgrown mill.
tary establishment" not to be de.
sired; neither is 1t to be feared. It Is
something inconsistent with the prln.
clples Of free, popular government,
and impossible so long as our present
form of government continues. But to
have "well.regulated" militia Is a
necessity, and, In order to its proper
regulation, Congress should make ade.
quate appropriation, not in stinted
sums nor at long intervals, but from
year to year, and in amounts sufficient
to enlarge and perfect the militia Of
the several States.
1t would be well for the National
Encampment, before 1t breaks up, to
take some action upon this matter and
prepare a suitable memorial requesting
early consideration of III, question, to
be submitted to the next Congress.
WHILE the British Government has
positively Inhibited the setting foot
upon Its soil of visiting military
company from the United States as
though some dreadful danger to mon
archical institutions alurked In the
rifles of the Gate City Guard, the
managers of the proposed International
Encampment at Chicago next fall, are
making special effort TO secure the at
tendance of foreign military organizi !.
tions. That shows In most striking
manner the big difference between q
government where the people, having
the power In their own hands, fear
no intrusion from their neighbors and a
government of which the cornerstone
is throne that trembles at Its own
shadow.
SENATOR MCPHERSON declined to ap.
pear before the Pacific Railroad Inves
tigating Committee for two reasons.
One was that he had no personal kuowl-
edge of the matter undergoing investl-
cation, and all the information that he
had received on the subject from indi.
rect sources was as accessible 10 the
committee without his evidence as with
1t. The other was that being Senator
of the United States he would be re.
quired TO act upon the report in quasi.
judicial capacity when 1t was submit
ted to Congress. Both are good rca
sons, but the latter quite sufficient with
out the former
They are talking In Boston abou
starting new literary weekly to bt
called the 1uentieM Century. the edi
torial force to include Mr.. Clapp, dra
matte editor of the Adrortiser, Mr.
Ralph and Mr. Ap'horp of the Tran
script, and Mrs. Maud Howe Elliott
who is also connected with the latte
paper. The requisite talent aud prob
ably the capital can be secured
Whether there Is "loug felt want
that needs to be filed Is the doubtful
factor In the enterprise.
ABOUT the same time that Russia
Nihilist was shooting at the Gar. a
the type of the most absolute and auto
cratic despotism on the face of th
earth, the loyal subjects of lie
Majesty, Queen Victoria, We're doin
their best In Cauada to kill Edito
O'Briep, the champion of free princl
Piles and Home Rule for Ireland.
the game OF assassination honors az
pear to be easy.
ASSURANCES are again received fror
Philadelphia that Mr.. Keely, the II
nous motor man, has succeeded at las
In overcoming all obstacles" and wi
soon start his engine for ten days
run. We have no assurance, however
that this is his positively last al
surancc. Mr.. Keely undoubtedly Ia
force, but he is a wonderfully Ion
time getting II into proper harness.
Drx,n., Doa.,n 49,. T. - t,,o,